An affirmative answer to this question can almost make a diagnosis of depression.

Depression is a common medical disorder. It is also an easily diagnosable and treatable public health problem. It affects both the sexes in all their age groups irrespective of their social status. However, women are affected more than men and attempt suicide several times more than men, although death by suicide occurs more in men.

The economic loss due to deaths by suicides and lost productive hours associated with depression is enormous, besides the emotional suffering.

The three major symptoms are: depressed mood or loss of interest, guilty feelings and suicidal ideas or suicidal plans. The bio-psycho-social symptom complex of depression presents itself with varying degree of intensity in an individual. Intensity refers to the frequency, duration and interference in one’s life or spheres of activities. It affects one’s personal life, family life, social life and mainly work.

Physical symptoms include

Sleep pattern difficulties (delayed sleep onset; waking up in the early hours of the morning)

Change in appetite or weight (decreased or increased)

Constipation

Slowed speech and movement

Unexplained multiple aches and pains

Lack of energy and interest in sex

Changes in the menstrual cycle

Psychological symptoms include

Prolonged periods of sadness

Low self-esteem

Hopelessness and helplessness

Crying spells

Guilt feelings

Irritability

Disinterest in surroundings

Lack of concentration

Indecisiveness

ack of enjoyment

Suicidal thoughts or suicidal plans

Anxiousness and tension

Social symptoms include

Not mixing with family and friends and avoiding contacts

Not performing well at work

Less interest in leisure time activities

Seeking treatment

Depression can be mild, moderate and severe, impacting daily life with slight difficulty, significant difficulty and impossible to cope up with, at times. All these are treatable with drug therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Seeking medical help from a health care service is the only solution to get diagnosed and treated.